Seducing Her Husband

Twelve

Mia woke early that Saturday morning, despite barely sleeping the night before. The sky outside her window was still pale, painted in shades of lavender and silver, and the house was wrapped in silence. Damian was away again something about a weekend strategy meeting with investors and she hadn't seen him in days.

She sat on the edge of her bed, her robe wrapped tightly around her, staring at the folded clothes she'd laid out the night before.

Cream sweater. Light-washed jeans. Flats. Safe.

She wasn't sure why that made her feel sad.

After brushing her teeth and tying her hair into a soft ponytail, she padded barefoot into the kitchen where Rosa had already prepared tea and a small breakfast. Mia nibbled on toast but barely tasted it.

Today was the day.

The day she began a new journey of trying something for herself.

At 10:15 a.m., she slipped into her jeans and sweater, spritzed a little of the new jasmine perfume on her wrist, and stared at her reflection.

"You can do this," she whispered. "Just try."

Ten minutes later, she was standing outside the house, fingers curled tightly around her phone, waiting at the gate like a schoolgirl about to sneak out for the first time.

Mia stood by the gate, twisting her fingers together and checking her phone for the fifth time in two minutes. The sky was soft and overcast, the kind of morning that promised calm but her stomach was in complete knots.

She'd texted Janelle her address late the night before, right after brushing her teeth and staring at her reflection like it might answer all her doubts.

Please pick me up tomorrow morning. I might chicken out if I have time to think.

At exactly 10:30 a.m., a cherry-red convertible pulled up outside the gate. Janelle stepped out in oversized sunglasses, high-waisted jeans, a cropped sweater, and boots that clicked confidently against the pavement.

"Holy s**t, Mia," she said, whistling low as she glanced up at the mansion behind her. "You live here?"

Mia blushed. "It was a wedding gift from his parents. It's... too much, honestly."

Janelle took off her glasses slowly and gave her a mock glare. "Girl, if I had a marble fountain in my front yard, I'd be sunbathing next to it every damn day. You're a lucky b***h, and you better start owning it."

Mia laughed shyly as she got in the car. "I'm not really the owning-it type."

Janelle snorted, starting the engine. "Not yet. But by the end of today, we're awakening your inner goddess."

The drive into the city was full of laughter and distracting stories. Janelle filled the space easily, telling her about a disastrous date with a gym rat who talked only about protein shakes, and Mia found herself giggling more than she expected.

Still, her hands twisted in her lap as they pulled up to the first boutique.

"I feel weird," she confessed.

"You are weird," Janelle teased, "but in a good way. Now stop overthinking and follow me.

They went to the first boutique, Mia tried on silks, velvets, satins, and chiffon standing awkwardly at first, but softening with every new dress.

By the time they reached the third boutique, a small jewel of a*****e with gilded mirrors and twinkling crystal light fixtures, Mia was no longer hesitating.

She had just stepped out of the fitting room in a champagne-colored wrap dress with a side slit and flutter sleeves when Janelle froze mid-sip of her mimosa.

"There she is," Janelle said, eyes wide with admiration.

Mia laughed, cheeks flushed. "It's not that serious."

"No. It is. That-that is the real you. Confident. Glowing. Just waiting to break out."

Mia turned slowly in front of the mirror. She had begun standing straighter. Smiling more. Her voice wasn't so hushed anymore, and her laughter came easier.

"I don't know what's happening to me," she murmured.

"You're remembering that you're allowed to exist fully," Janelle replied gently. "You don't have to hide behind softness just to survive."

Mia didn't say anything, but her smile lingered.

The next hour was a blur of excitement Mia pulling dresses off racks herself, trying on a bold emerald gown with an open back, even letting Janelle convince her to test out a short fitted number she swore she'd never wear. She even twirled once just once in front of the mirror, laughing when the saleswoman clapped.

"I think I'm starting to have fun," Mia admitted as she walked out in yet another dress, this one a sleek navy with a sweetheart neckline.

"That's what happens when you stop dressing like an elementary school librarian on laundry day," Janelle said with mock-seriousness. "You blossom."

Mia giggled and shook her head. "I feel ridiculous."

"You feel powerful. Own it."

In the fitting room, Mia tried on a series of dresses

The third dress was deep burgundy, off-shoulder, with a delicate wrap around her waist.

Janelle whistled low. "Okay, no, this one? You look like heartbreak in heels. That man of yours won't know what hit him."

Mia turned slowly in the mirror. She wasn't used to seeing herself like this elegant, feminine, bold. And for a moment, she didn't hate what she saw.

"Now we're getting somewhere," Janelle said as Mia came out in a navy blue high-slit gown. "Look at you, actually participating in your own makeover."

The sun was beginning its slow descent when they stepped into a final boutique a small, lush space with gold details, velvet curtains, and soft ambient music.

Mia was flipping through a rack of delicate shawls when she heard the salesgirl say it:

"All right, ladies. Now that the dresses are handled, shall we move to lingerie?"

Mia nearly dropped the hanger in her hand.

Janelle clapped her hands together dramatically. "Yes. Let's."

Mia's face went crimson. "Wait what?"

Janelle turned with a wicked grin. "Honey, we've dressed the part. Now we prep for the performance. Time to pick something that will make him forget how to breathe."

Mia opened her mouth. Closed it. Her cheeks burned.

She had no idea what she was in for.

Mia smiled, shy but no longer hesitant. "I think... I'm kind of enjoying this."

Janelle grinned. "That's what I like to hear."